UNGROUNDED OUTLETS
An ungrounded electrical system or wiring is a common feature in older homes, unfortunately it does not meet current electrical codes and safety standards. Ungrounded outlets are one of the most common electrical complaints we address, and it’s a bit more complicated than it first appears. Read on to learn how to identify ungrounded outlets, the process required to ground your electrical system, and what it can cost.
If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, you might have ungrounded outlets:
Do you have two-prong outlets throughout your home (instead of outlets with three holes)?
Did you or a home inspector identify ungrounded outlets, missing ground rods, an outdated panel or fuse box, cloth insulated wiring, MC, or other electrical issues in your home?
Have your outlets for large appliances been replaced (stoves, dryers, etc) but no other outlets, perhaps by prior owners?
Was your home constructed prior to the 1960’s?
Do you have “cheater plugs” or 2 to 3 prong outlet adapters in your home?
None of the above guarantee that you have an ungrounded electrical system, but they can be strong indicators. You may also have ungrounded outlets in some areas of your home and not others.
Why is a grounded electrical system important?
You might have noticed that some devices and plugs only have 2 prongs anyway, they don’t need a 3-prong outlet. Lamps and other small appliances commonly do not need a ground. But most modern or large appliances do. It is strongly recommended that outlets for dryers, kitchen appliances, and outlets with heavy use be grounded in particular, but all outlets should be grounded per current national codes. Vacuums, air conditioners, computers, and even coffee makers can all require grounded outlets. A grounded system protects you, your home, and your appliances from electrical surges. Excess electricity is discharged to—you guessed it—the ground. Without that protection, you are at an increased risk of electrical fires, appliance damage, and personal injury. You increase your liability risk as a homeowner or landlord and in many cases is can cost more to insure a house with an ungrounded system.
How do you ground an electrical outlet or system?
Often, unlicensed electricians or homeowners replace 2 prong outlets with 3 prong without replacing the wiring or even attempting to retrofit a ground to existing cables. An electrician or home inspector with an outlet tester can still determine that these outlets are ungrounded, but you can’t tell from looking at them unless you take them out of the wall. Often, GFCI outlets are installed on ungrounded systems as a temporary safety measure. This is certainly safer than not having them at all, but GFCI outlets or breakers are not appropriate for all applications and appliances. You will also be required to clearly label each GFCI as having “No equipment ground”. This option will protect you, but please not that it will not protect electronic devices from surges or shorts. We always recommend fully grounding ungrounded electrical systems to meet current NEC codes. There are occasions where homes wired with metal boxes and cable can be retrofitted to function as a grounded system. This is not possible in every home. Highwire Electric rarely utilizes either of these methods unless it is impossible or cost prohibitive to upgrade the wiring, but be aware that there are other electrical companies that offer these options and meet minimum code standards.
Best Practices in Grounding Outlets and Electrical Systems:
Highwire Electric almost always recommends fully rewiring your home, replacing or upgrading your panel if necessary, and installing ground rods to bring your home fully up to current codes. As mentioned above, there are cases when retrofitting is possible, but it is not ever the safest option. Grounded outlets throughout a home have been required by national electrical codes for over 50 years. If your home is ungrounded, it is guaranteed that your system is either old or was installed without a permit or licensing. It is rare that we find a home with ungrounded wiring that is otherwise in perfect condition electrically, although it does happen. Often ungrounded wiring is also cloth insulated or accompanied by an outdated fuse box/panel or lacking GFCI and arc fault protection. In these cases, we recommend a full home rewire and panel replacement or upgrade.
How much does a home rewire cost and is it worth it?
Total home rewires can be costly. Our average rewire and panel replacement costs between $8,000-$12,000 but can be more in larger homes, homes with many electrical devices and fixtures, or homes with difficult or no access to existing wiring/wall interiors. We also often pair rewires with panel and service upgrades to bring more amperage to the home, which can add up to a few thousand dollars. These repairs add value to your home and more importantly, protect you and your family from risks to your personal property and physical safety. Electrical malfunction is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States every year, causing over 50,000 fires. 5,000 of these are caused by outlets and receptacles. These fires result in over $1 billion in damages each year, 1,400 injuries, and 500 deaths. Highwire Electric will never take shortcuts with your safety and will make every effort to give you the best possible recommendation to meet current codes, keep you safe, and fit your budget.
